The 2012 IDEAS contest calls for innovative proposals that promote sustainable energy technologies in the Caribbean. Here’s a brief summary of the initiative:
• The 2012 IDEAS Energy Innovation Contest for the Caribbean was launched on February 15, 2012
• Awards of up to US$200,000 are offered for projects and enterprises which promote energy efficiency and access to renewable energy in the Caribbean region
• Applications from Antigua and Barbada, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname and Trinidad and Tobago are invited
UKAid from the Department of International Development (DFID), GVEP International, South Korea and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) have launched a contest to develop innovative ideas to improve energy efficiency and expand access to renewable energy in the Caribbean.
The contest, launched with a regional marketing campaign What’s your bright IDEA?, is intended to promote innovative solutions to energy problems that have local or regional benefits, provide jobs and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Award winners will receive up to US$200,000,as well as technical and business development support to implement or scale up their ideas.
Individuals, enterprises and organizations based in the Caribbean are invited to submit proposals focusing on adoption, innovation, assimilation, development and transfer of technologies in renewable energy, energy efficiency, climate change mitigation and fossil fuel substitution by April 30, 2012.
Applications should be submitted electronically - details and guidance are available at http://www.iadb.org/ideas Gran.t winners will be announced July 15, 2012.
“The Caribbean has great potential for economically and environmentally sustainable enterprises in renewable energy and energy efficiency,” said Simone Banister, Climate Change Adviser at DFID Caribbean. “Simple innovations could have a dramatic effect on energies supplies, prices and the way businesses and markets operate in the region.”
Energy in the Caribbean is currently produced almost exclusively from imported fossil fuels, Banister explained. “As a result, consumers are paying high prices for electricity, transport fuels and other forms of energy. So far, the use of alternative sources of energy, particularly renewables, has been limited. We’re hoping to help change that.”
“Local innovation and the adaptation of existing technologies to local circumstances are key to boosting the competitive supply of renewable energy services and tackling environmental concerns”said Arnaldo Vieira de Carvalho, Lead Energy Specialist at the IDB.
What is IDEAS?
IDEAS is an Energy Innovation Contest to support the development of innovative projects promoting renewable energies, and improving energy efficiency.. IDEAS was first launched in February 2009, with the support of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), the Government of Korea, non-governmental organization GVEP International and the German Technical Cooperation for Development (GIZ), and funded by the Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development of Germany (BMZ) and the Netherlands Directorate-General of Development Cooperation (DGIS). It received over 1,000 applications from 28 Latin America and Caribbean countries. A total of 26 winners were selected in Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Chile, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Panama, Peru, Saint Vincent and The Grenadines, and Saint Lucía.
A second phase of IDEAS was launched on September 15, 2011, in cooperation with the Mexican Secretariat of Energy with the support of the Sustainable Energy Fund (FSE), the IDB and the South Korean Government to promote innovation in sustainable energy. More than 700 applications were received from Latin America and the Caribbean, and 15 winners were selected from Colombia, Costa Rica, El Salvador and Mexico. For more information: http://www.iadb.org/ideas.
Our media landscape today is a strange one. Online features and stories fill the traditional press; which in turn, the online community continues to emulate. No longer do we find clearly defined boundaries, as the chicken and the egg are in a constant pas de deux with each other. At a time when editorial staff are being forced to look beyond the realm of traditional communication; Editor in Chief Melissa Gabriel, with the help of an elite Abovegroup Ogilvy team; launched her highly successful fashion blog Trinidad Lookbook as a full-fledged print magazine.
According to AGO Director, Alex Smailes, “When Melissa Gabriel asked if we’d help relaunch LookBook, her immensely popular homegrown fashion commentary blogsite into a print version; in the midst of the Great Recession, global print magazines 6-ft under several years ago, print advertising sales continuing to plummet regionally and a general fear and caution still clearly pervasive into 2012. For us, it was a resounding; Yup – a no brainer.” The team, comprising Creative Director Marlon Darbeau; Art Director Tanya Marie Williams, Designer Tricia Dukhie; Photographer Kibwe Brathwaite and AGO Director Alex Smailes; attacked the undertaking with gusto.
“I was excited about print and the opportunity to design a fashion magazine with stories. I was ready to put something fresh out into the Trinidad magazine landscape!” recalls Williams.
Smailes further explained, “...What a person does outside of work speaks volumes and is a clear indication of what and how they will contribute to the modern creative-business environment.” Trinidad Lookbook was already quite a successful online example of this; translating it into a tangible thing was clearly a good move.
The next hurdle was tackling the capricious fashion demographic, while maintaining creative integrity. Marlon Darbeau intimates, “The magazine is a sign of many great things to come, especially because it’s influenced by pop culture; not only in fashion but even design and photography. When people think of culture they often discount popular culture, and we feel that the publication is a solid contribution to this very valid part of our cultural existence.”
Indeed, in attempting to capture the newly burgeoning fashion demographic, the AGO Lookbook Creative Team knew they had to infuse the publication with their own style and flair. “The designers were encouraged to inject their own personalities into the project. It was about convergence of ideas and bringing minds together. It was about us contributing to the landscape,” Darbeau says.
Even with this carte blanche approach to the process, the team understood that the niche they were exploring was quite a demanding one. Tricia Dukhie explains, “Fashion magazines usually sanction radical layouts and exquisite photography, and I knew Lookbook would not be an exception.”
About his relationship with Fashion Photography, photographer Brathwaite reveals, “I realized that after years of looking at photos and dissecting images, performing commutation tests in my mind; replacing signifiers like hair color, skin color, camera positioning or model positioning, I developed an aversion to the conventions that everyone used.
“I never understood the contorted model poses, the super obvious flashy lighting techniques and the overall excessiveness of a frame that could have effectively communicated the same message with less than half of the things in them.”
What ultimately happened is that they produced a piece of work that embraced the Caribbean perspective and high fashion with candor. Smailes reveals, “We’re our harshest critics and by constantly refusing to settle for me-too design or copy-cat publications, the team never once sat back.“
Trinidad Lookbook currently graces the shelves of several fine establishments and will continue to shatter industry norms with great fervour.
Get your copy at:
- Meiling | No. 6 Carlos Street, Woodbrook
- Bang Bang | Frederick Street, POS
High Street, San Fernando
Trincity Mall
- Blaanix by Bang Bang, Aboutique Mall, Frederick Street, POS
212 Location, Aboutique Mall, Frederick Street, POS
- Runway Street | SimpliCity, 45 Murray Street, Woodbrook
- Indulge Clothing | Tragarete Road, POS
- The Pallet Stick | Havelock Street, St. Clair
- So Chic Boutique | Francis Plaza, Chaguanas
- SuperPharm | Westmoorings
Maraval
Valsayn
Tunapuna
Trincity
Posted in BrandingDesignPhotography on 30th Jan 2012.
At Abovegroup Ogilvy, we believe in making the world a brighter place. A key tenet of that vision is making the world a fairer place.
That’s why we strongly believe that discrimination in any form - race, religion, culture, gender, socio-economic background and sexual orientation, is unacceptable.
While the right to free speech is sacred, the spread of misinformation targeting specific groups and encouraging discrimination is a clear abuse of this right. We’re disheartened by what we have seen recently in the press, paid advertising or not. Apart from being completely at odds with what is actually true, the advertisement is divisive and an embarrassment.
At this point in our nation’s history, we need to always act in ways to bring us together, rather than drive us apart. We need to push aside the forces of intolerance and bigotry, and accept that only together can we achieve what we aspire to as a nation.
Kudos goes out to our own Art Director, Roger A.Pierre for his well-received illustrations in a new book that was launched yesterday.
Last night we had the privilege of enjoying the launch of an illustrated biography of the late artist, Ian Ali at the National Museum Courtyard where Roger exhibited his most recent work.
Roger provided the illustration of the book “Ian Ali” written by Patti-Ann Ali. This book was part of the Great Nationals of Trinidad and Tobago Series.
Over 100 people attended the launch including several dignitaries, Ministers, fellow employees and the family of Ian Ali. Roger’s illustrations had a positive impact on all the attendees and his work was highly regarded as groundbreaking – following in the footsteps of Ian Ali.
Earlier this year Abovegroup Ogilvy coordinated a program with Wendell McShine, Coconut Growers Association (CGA) and the art students of Success Laventille Secondary School called Art Connect. The program involved McShine teaching the students various levels of visual artistic expression, allowing them to explore their talents through workshops and by engaging in a series of visual installations around the community.
To date, the most visually engaging aspect is the mural painted on the CGA wall along the Eastern Main Road. In addition to sponsoring the project, CGA also donated a substantial section of their front wall to be used as a canvas, thus allowing McShine and students from the school to embark on the creation of a public art installation. The installation is a collaboration of their individual paintings that fluidly transition into each other, expressing a narrative through organic shapes and vivid color.
In addition to capturing various aspects of the creative process from its inception, the entire Art Connect project was thoroughly documented by film director Miquel Galofré and made into a film ‘Art Connect in Laventille’. The film, soon to be released, is an in-depth exploration into the Art Connect project, highlighting the unique experiences and the impact the inspirational project had on individual students. Take a look at the latest trailer for the film.
We also created portraits of the students in their exuberance, producing their own public signatures for the live audience of pedestrians and commuters of mid day traffic.
Garvin Mortley and Akiler Holder
Anna Campbell and Ateion Jones
Maliq Noel and Sherise Jones
Isis Gerry and Salif Calliste
Posted in ArtCommunity OutreachPhotographyVideo on 30th Nov 2011.
On Friday November 11, 2011, over one hundred of Trinidad & Tobago’s opinion leaders, and impassioned TEDx fans came together for a day of networking and dialogue spotlighting the theme “Changing Conversations.” Master of Ceremonies, Scott Hilton-Clarke, set the tone for the day by keeping the audience engaged while introducing each of the speakers.
The event commenced with Wendell Manwarren’s message of self-empowerment and uplifting words declaring that the time to change is now and that we are all part of the ReEvolution. Gregory Sloane-Seale, Coordinator, Citizen Security, Ministry of National Security Trinidad & Tobago, spoke on the ‘Process-driven’ human development addressing our approach to change. Gregory’s presentation followed a ‘TED Talks’ video and a 30-minute intermission.
Following the break, Georgia Popplewell, Managing Director, Global Voices, discussed the power of social media and citizen journalism. Stefan Grosberg spoke on how he got involved in the slow food movement and the importance of supporting our local ingredients. Geoffrey Frankson followed up with his presentation on maintaining a healthy and active lifestyle, encouraging people to be active. Professor Prakash Persad discussed whether or not a robot be integrated into a human band and the implications of replacing humans. This was followed by a live demonstration of a robot playing the tabla. Architect Mark Raymond shared his knowledge and ideas by outlining the central role of design in the functionality of our environment in which we work, play, learn and rest. His presentation urged us to rethink the relationship between architecture, city and landscape. Ria Ramkissoon shared her experiences as a successful entrepreneur and the impact of our view of success and failure both in Trinidad and abroad. The event ended with Kiran Akal’s dynamic presentation on how new media can be integrated into shared social space.
By 3:30 pm, participants left the Little Carib Theatre fueled with inspiration, resources and a wealth of information. TEDxPortofSpain empowered the audience not only with ideas worth sharing, but also with ideas worth acting on. It was indeed the beginning of many conversation changes to come.
Full videos of speakers’ presentations will be available soon and can be viewed at TED.com or TEDxPortofSpain.com.
Kiran Shiva Akal has worked in creative entertainment since 1989. He is a medical doctor, a composer signed to Warner Music and has consulted for companies that include the Walt Disney Company, The Bacardi Group, The Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group, Art Miami and Lexington Films.
Kiran’s focus has been on how new media can be integrated into shared social spaces and the impact this could have on the more equitable distribution of transformative immersive experiences especially in regions where there is a lack of such opportunity.
Over the last 10 years he has worked in the United States as the head of Infinite Worlds Inc., an outstanding group of engineers and technologists developing distribution formats that could achieve these goals. Kiran was named one of the 100 most influential thinkers in the State of Florida in 2011.
For more information on Kiran Akal and the other speakers featured at TEDxPortofSpain, be sure to visit their website.
After graduating from the University of Bath in 2008 with a BEng in Chemical Engineering, Stefan Grosberg returned to Trinidad and took a keen interest in the mechanics of Slow Food. In September 2009 he took a plane to Europe to experience everything he could about food from the ground up.
He began with a one-month stint at a farm in Ireland before heading to a rural village in Italy. His involvement with Slow Food continued as a personal journey trying to find local artisans and connecting with the local organic farmers.
On Friday 11th of November 2011, at TEDxPortofSpain, Stefan will discuss the importance of supporting local food, farmers and reinforce why we must focus on the development of our food sector.
For more information on Stefan Grosberg and the other speakers featured at TEDxPortofSpain, be sure to visit their website.
With family in LA, UK, Dubai, New Zealand and South Korea, the dedication to living in our home-island comes at a cost of having to travel often for family commitments - well, okay, not exactly a bad price to pay.
Through the last three years of the global economic downturn, We’ve been lucky enough to still be able to travel to both large metropolises, LA, London, San Francisco, Stockholm and yet always sneak in an off-the-beaten track adventure. Either through wine country or towns and villages specialising in local cuisine, as for us, often the journey becomes just as poignant as the destination.
Along the way, I’ve discovered a few similarities of how small local independent companies have survived, how consumer choices have adjusted and tastes shifted to the medium-term global economic downturn. I documented most of the trips on a iphone.
During the shock and doldrums of 2008, we headed north from LA past the rich mansions and even richer Cabernet Sauvignon vineyards of Napa and Sonoma. The global wine trade had taken a massive hit. While the US struggled to maintain rationale for their often higher priced products, France, one of the largest producers, for a long time has been struggling with a glut of quality table wine from the New World on the market. Recently, China’s new wealthy, with its rapacious appetite for anything fine, took over as being the second highest importer only to UK. While the UK is still currently the busiest wine importer, London is clearly just a trading point, not the leading consumer.
While restaurants and tastings remained booked in Napa, the region certainly took a hit with the mass foreign tourism. It looked to sustain itself with the optimistically predicted trend of staycations, being the vacation of choice that year.
For many in LA, it certainly felt like a time of reflection and strategy of how to remain relevant.
Enjoying a Rothko at LACMA
Onward through northern California and with a stunning drive to Portland, well known for its 90’s grunge and Emo music scene emergence in the naughties. It is also heralded as an up-and-coming creative industries leader amongst US cities. With its governance focused on sustainability, green and ethical food practices, its free-spirited hip-scene, it’s clear to see why young creatives are attracted. Both Wieden+Kennedy and Liquid whom merged with our brand guru Marty Neumeier in 2009, as some of my top picks.
On the return down the Pacific coast and beautiful Redwood country, we stopped off in town after town of abandoned suburban Americana. Like the opening scenes of an apocalyptic zombie movie; desolate strip mall lots for rent, well known brand outlets boarded up, even empty cinemas, cafes and bars. Scary.
In the nooks and crannies, we did find a camaraderie of like minded people willing to come together for the greater good of survival. In Willamette Valley, Oregon, long been touted as the new hot-spot for US wine, small crop producers who could not afford to go to market (with machinery and bottling costs in the millions) co-operatives have been set up for sharing presses, fermentation and even a fantastic tasting room. Of course, it is built sustainably and with energy saving practices. In the same region is Carlton, a charming turn of the century town host to several group tasting shops. After all the medias touting of Oregons famed farm-to-table food practices, there was a strange clear lack of restaurants. One sommelier bemoaned that they’ve been written about by so many food critics and wine writers, but haven’t actually had the investment yet.
A year later through 2009 - 2010 a definite shift was taking place. Adaption and caution was clearly replacing the swagger and can-do mentality and any hope that the economic turnaround was anywhere near. In fact a double dip disaster loomed. Although in California, you’re not considered a success - “unless you’ve been down several times before” - it felt like the spirit had been stifled but certainly not broken.
There was a definite movement to back when things that were good in our lives or past lives, experienced or imagined. Farmer’s markets boomed in communities, meal deals were prevalent with focus on quality not quantity. Ethnic and exotic tastes in music, food and cultures expanded. Even at the luxury end of the market, far from the glitz and the glam of the diamond incrusted 2006, austerity and retro-chic was back! The 70’s shirts and flares were left to student disco parties and it was back to post war 50’s era that took LA by charm. Back to a time when American values meant something, a nation was on the rise again after decades of a crushing depression and subsequent losses during World War 11. Idealistic yes, we all know it wasn’t that rosy.
Magnolia Bakery in Beverly Hills epitomises this revival. They serve freshly made cakes, pastries, cream teas, coffees, shakes, such as this vanilla bean cheesecake and pumpkin & walnut cupcake. With interiors that mix an old soda-fountain bar and a French patisserie from post-war Paris. Baby blue and white trim interiors, pale pine wood finishes, mixed with industrial kitchen fittings, fans and exposed AC/electrical ducts.
The French patisserie theme took off with many baking specialties such as with French macaroons by Paulette and traditional cookies by Miette. With rave reviews and followers online, one thing is clear, people still need the sweet stuff in downturns. Food trucks dominated the digital sphere with mobile grill/kitchens offering French pancakes, Chinese, gourmet burgers, Mexican, Korean - or in true LA style; Kogi Korean Mexican tacos! Often popping up in hot night life spots while followers where informed by Twitter.
How do these experiences tie-up and become relevant - well just personally speaking, as you may have guessed… with an interest in food, drink and travel, here’s an example. Some local friends managed to snag a table at The Tasting Kitchen in Venice Beach, where most of the ingredients they cook and serve are handmade. Including the root Ginger Beer mixed with premium vodka and chunky limes. Their cocktail list is a winner.
We found a mind blowing French wine so I snapped a photo of the label on my phone and sent it out to friends recommending it. Gareth responded immediately from South of France, US friends found the NY importer and my dad actually found the maker in France and proposed a road trip to find it. And so the following year - we did!
Think about it, we actually backtracked from our experience of one of the virtues of globalisation. Being able to share good French wine with friends, gain longevity and expand on the experience by creating another real life trip. In turn finding the actual maker, who promptly pulled off his farming overalls, dusted off a barrel and cracked a few 2010.
We’re yet to try the pop-up restaurant movement, but it’s earmarked for the next trip.
Although, you know the great thing about when you travel, sometimes experiences find you. A brand or company can try and duplicate the experiences, but sometimes its just the staff’s intuition and life’s cross-roads that deliver a fait de complet.
We spent my last birthday, which happens to be New Years Day, in San Francisco. We had a few drinks in a crammed bar in the Tenderloin district but needed something a tad more sedate to see in the early hours, so we went on search of the perfect hotel bar. A comfy environment, dim lighting, a good collection of aged liquor and a friendly gent who knows how to serve them. In no more then 10 mins walk in chilling rain at 11.45 pm, we came across a man in a top hat and tails in front of a nondescript single door entrance. We had to go in there. Maybe it was the two lovely ladies in my company, or he felt sorry for the obvious foreigner, or maybe it was just the SF way, but its not often you can get a door opened for you minutes to midnight on New Years Eve.
We were immediately greeted and met with glasses of Louis Roederer Champagne, dark chocolate truffles and a sommelier with an Elvis hairstyle and killer chops. Perfect! This was the Fleur de Lys, unbeknownst to us it was one of many restaurants owned by a celebrity chef, having a party. The chef passed through greeting guests personally and after having a chat, made excuses as he was needed elsewhere. 30 minutes later, on the flat screen above the bar, a live feed from the SF Macy’s Tower displayed him doing his DJ set at the W Hotel roof top party to fire works! To round off the evening, Sommelier Elvis pulled an aged single malt Scotch older than the company I was with and explained that they’d ‘found it’ when cleaning out the cellar. Will I eat there next time in town, yes, will I tell as many people as possible about the tale, yes. With such little effort, they gained infamous fame amongst peers and spread word-of-mouth.
In retail it was battle of the sales. Incredible deep discounts could be easily found at any outlet. Even the high-end high-street bargains were snapped up at such bucket prices, you almost felt duped for having ever paid more.
If retro was back for food, no more so than in fashion. Endless articles and advice abounded on how to raid your folks wardrobe and pull off a style. Or Urban Outfitters did it conveniently for you. Ironically, it still didn’t stop some whopping on a premium for vintage wear! Storefront creativity also went nuts!
As marketing budgets were slashed and store front designers went bust, in-store marketers had to make do with cheaper materials, simple ideas and do it themselves. Some clearly used this as a staff bonding morale boosting opportunity.
Some sales were actually just plain marketing strategy for the still wealthy. Once inside and surrounded by extremely high-end wear, the prices were actually slashed from US$450.00 to US$150.00 - bargain! But hey, people still felt as if they’d joined in the bargain hunting brigade and more importantly - had a story to tell.
October 7th is the tenth anniversary of the U.S. military campaign in Afghanistan, launched after the September 11th, 2001, attacks on the United States.
Ten years ago, one of our Directors, Alex Smailes was there to document the effects of US air raids as 10,000’s refugees flooded into Pakistan in the North West Frontier.
Here are a few of his images from the archives.
Posted in Photography on 06th Oct 2011.
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Creative thinking and a bit of drinking
Show & Tell is a monthly event hosted by Abovegroup Ogilvy in our studio. Speakers come from a range of backgrounds and interests. Admission is free and the atmosphere is easy.
Garvin Mortley and Akiler Holder
Anna Campbell and Ateion Jones
Maliq Noel and Sherise Jones
Isis Gerry and Salif Calliste
